Need to build this tank soon!!!

Fabricate my tank · Jan 5, 2018

Hi, I am a acrylic plastics fabricator, although i have worked with acrylic for 20 plus years, i have never built an aquarium. Question: can i use 3/8 in thick acrylic or do i need 1/2 inch thick acrylic. the tank measurements are 36 in. wide by 18 in. deep by 16 in.high. This is a 40 gallon tank. I need to build this tank soon!!!

Thanks Michael

Ryan115 · Jan 5, 2018

I've never built an acrylic tank, just thought about it.
But I have found these.
http://www.garf.org/tank/BuildTank.asp
http://diyfishkeepers.com/AcrylicThicknessCalculator.htm
Others may be able to comment more on it's accuracy

acrylics · Jan 5, 2018

3/8" should be fine in terms of structure. The tank will need a top perimeter flange though. Thicker material allows for narrower top flanges as well as less deflection.
With 3/8" I'd use a 3" perimeter flange yielding a single 30 x 12" opening.
With 1/2" you can reduce the flange up to about 1" so the thinnest I'd make the flange is 2" yielding a single top opening measuring 32 x 14"

Also, make sure you use a decent acrylic like Plex G or Polycast :)

HTH,
James